Baseball

Baseball Tops Cal Poly, 8-5

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -
Second baseman Dustin Realini hit two home runs to lead the Santa Clara baseball team to an 8-5 victory over Cal Poly on Saturday afternoon at Buck Shaw Stadium. With the win, the Broncos improve to 8-6 on the season. The Mustangs are now 10-7 on the year.

A two-run home run from Realini would provide the first Bronco runs of the day in the bottom of the third inning. Robert Perry has started the frame with a single and moved to second on an errand throw. Shawn Epidendio sacrificed Perry to third before Realini hit his third round tripper of the season, putting SCU ahead 2-0.

In the top of the fourth, Cal Poly took a 4-2 advantage on back-to-back home runs from Jimmy Van Ostrand and JJ Owen. Van Ostrand brought three runs across the plate with his home run, while Owen's was a solo shot. Heading into the bottom of the fourth, the Broncos trailed 4-2.

In the bottom of the frame, SCU reclaimed the lead with a three-run rally. After a single from Jason Matteucci and a walk to Perry, Epidendio brought Matteucci in on a single. Epidendio would move to second on the throw to third and Perry would be safe at third for Realini. A wild pitch advanced both runners, bringing in another run before Realini brought in Epidendio on a ground out. After four innings, Santa Clara led 5-4.

Cal Poly tied the game in the top of the sixth at 5-5. With Drew Gillmore on third base and Matt Cooper on second, Brandon Roberts laid down a bunt single to bring in the run. However, a wild throw to first base would allow Cooper to go to third and Roberts to second. A line out to first base would end the rally and keep the game tied at 5-5.

The Broncos put up two runs in the bottom of the sixth to re-take the lead and never look back. With Epidendio on second after hitting a single and stealing second earlier in the frame, Realini would hit his second home run of the day to bring in both runs.

Santa Clara capped its win with another run in the seventh as Kevin Drever knocked in pinch runner Nathan Faulkner with a single through the left side.

Anthony Rea picked up his third save of the season as he held the Mustangs scoreless in the final two innings. Thomas Van Buskirk earned the win, his first of the season, to improve to 1-1.

Realini knocked in five runs to pace the Broncos, while Epidendio and Drever drove in the other two. Perry and Epidendio each had two hits on the day, while Realini led SCU with three.

The Broncos and Mustangs will conclude their three-game series on Sunday at Buck Shaw Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.